News

TORONTO, ON; NEW YORK, NY, MARCH 12, 2019

Generated $32.9 million in Revenue and $3.3 million in EBITDA in Q4 2018

AcuityAds Holdings Inc. (TSXV:AT) (“AcuityAds” or “Company”), a technology leader that provides targeted digital media solutions enabling advertisers to connect intelligently with audiences across digital advertising campaigns, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.

“We are incredibly pleased with the results Acuity achieved in Q4 and for the entire 2018 year. The investments we made and continue to make in our technology, product and people, combined with our industry-leading AI platform and the continued growth of the digital advertising market, have provided significant momentum for our Company,” said Tal Hayek, Chief Executive Officer of AcuityAds. “We are continuing to see substantial growth into the first quarter of 2019 with both larger and longer term contracts. We believe this renewed growth is a testament to the outstanding execution of the entire Acuity team whose dedicated focus and commitment is one of our most valuable assets.”

Mr. Hayek continued, “We firmly believe that Acuity is stronger and in a better market position today than at any time in our history.”

Q4 2018 Financial Highlights

Total revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $32.9 million compared to $15.1 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of 118%.

Total Self-Serve revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2018 increased 75% to $5.2 million, compared to $3.0 million for the same period in 2017.

The average campaign size increased 124% in the 2018 quarter as compared to the same period in 2017.

The Company’s Adjusted EBITDA increased by 405% to $3.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018compared to an Adjusted EBITDA of $0.7 million for the same period in 2017.

Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $3.6 million compared to a net and loss of $1.3 millionfor the same period in 2017.

Adjusted net income (loss) which excludes a non-cash goodwill write-off, non-cash amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions, non-recurring acquisition costs and other non-cash items, was $2.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 compared to ($0.7 million) for the same period in 2017. The adjusted net income per share for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $0.05 per share.

As at December 31, 2018 the Company’s cash and restricted cash balance was $8.1 million.

Full Year 2018 Financial Highlights:

Total revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was $70.2 million compared to $58.5 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of 20%.

Revenue less media costs (gross margin) was 52% for FY2018 compared to 50% for FY2017.

Total Self-Serve revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was $15.8 million compared to $19.7 million for the same period in 2017.

The average campaign size increased 7% in 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017.

The Company’s Adjusted EBITDA increased 1407% to $2.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $0.2 million for the same period in 2017.

Net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was $11.3 million compared to a net of $6.6 million for the same period in 2017.

Adjusted net loss which excludes a non-cash goodwill write-off, non-cash amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions, non-recurring acquisition costs and other non-cash items, was $2.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 compared to $5.7 million for the same period in 2017.

The Company will be holding a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2018 financial results on Wednesday, March 13th, 2019.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods ended:

Three months ended

Twelve months ended

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2018

2017

2018

2017

Net income (loss) for the period

($3,621,702)

($1,332,054)

($11,278,192)

($6,560,271)

Adjustments:

Finance costs

663,968

398,491

2,094,955

1,630,890

Impairment loss

4,072,961

–

4,072,961

1,894,849

Fair value gain

(805,920)

–

(805,920)

(3,316,080)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

(142,588)

22,533

21,161

348,793

Depreciation and amortization

2,796,174

818,867

6,034,389

3,133,605

Income taxes

(921,480)

25,614

(902,779)

163,394

Share-based compensation

239,018

470,040

1,136,757

1,604,612

Acquisition costs

1,002,874

–

2,264,580

547,106

Severance expenses

27,502

246,608

203,030

739,958

Total adjustments

6,932,509

1,982,153

14,119,134

6,747,127

Adjusted EBITDA

$3,310,807

$650,099

$2,840,942

$186,856

The following table presents a reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Net Income (Loss) for the periods ended:

Three months ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2018

2017

2018

2017

Net loss for the period

($3,621,702)

($1,332,054)

($11,278,192)

($6,560,271)

Adjustments:

Impairment loss

$4,072,961

$0

$4,072,961

$1,894,849

Fair Value Gain

($805,920)

$0

($805,920)

($3,316,080)

Amortization of Intangibles

$2,447,878

$630,697

$4,326,983

$1,705,053

Acquisition costs

$1,002,874

$0

$2,264,580

$547,106

Non-cash Income Tax

($921,480)

$0

($902,779)

$0

Total adjustments

$5,796,312

$630,697

$8,955,824

$830,928

Adjusted Net Income (Loss)

$2,174,610

($701,357)

($2,322,368)

($5,729,343)

About AcuityAds:

About AcuityAds:

AcuityAds is a leading technology company that provides marketers a powerful and holistic solution for digital advertising across all ad formats and screens to amplify reach and Share of Attention® throughout the customer journey. Via its unique, data-driven insights, real-time analytics and industry-leading activation platform based on proprietary Artificial Intelligence technology, AcuityAds leverages an integrated ecosystem of partners for data, inventory, brand safety and fraud prevention, offering unparalleled, trusted solutions that the most demanding marketers require to be successful in the digital era.

AcuityAds is headquartered in Toronto with offices throughout the U.S., Europe and Latin America. For more information, visit AcuityAds.com.

Disclaimer in regards to Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements included herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, AcuityAds does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in particular, new information or future events. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.